Photos by Shotwell Productions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2019
— A RECORD-BREAKING DAY IN PRINCETON —
THE 7TH ANNUAL HiTOPS PRINCETON HALF MARATHON WELCOMES A NEW COURSE RECORD AND THE LARGEST RUNNER FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN RACE HISTORY!
PRINCETON – Sunday, November 3rd marked a record-breaking day in Princeton, New Jersey as the sold-out, 7th Annual HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon welcomed over 1,400 runners across the finish line at Paul Robeson Place after completing their 13.1 mile run on the beautiful, challenging course throughout historic Princeton.
The community of runners, spectators, community partners and volunteers who gathered on this brisk fall morning, were treated to the beautiful fall foliage in full display. Princeton Mayor, Liz Lempert sounded the bullhorn at the start of the race, setting runners off on the course that traversed throughout historic Princeton, highlighting the landmarks of Princeton Battlefield, the Institute for Advanced Study (the home of Einstein), Princeton University, the Princeton Boathouse, Westminster Choir College, and more. The beauty of this USATF Certified Grand Prix course is not lost on these runners, nor on the enthusiastic race spectators that cheer runners along the roads and trails of historic Princeton. The course can be viewed, here.
Marking the record-breaking day, top male finisher, Mo Alkhawaldeh broke his own course record by completing the course in 1:09:34, nearly 4 minutes faster than his record win last year. Top female finisher, Nicole Strand, crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 1:25:51. Further honors were bestowed on these runners as Major Liz Lempert presented them with the coveted Mayor’s Cup, recognizing them as the fastest male and female runners who are employees of a Princeton-based business. Mo and Nicole are employees of Princeton Running Company by Jack Rabbit and Lifetime Fitness, respectively.
While each race finisher was awarded with a victory medal and cheers from spectators, a formal ceremony in the race’s Victory Village, recognized the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three finishers in designated age groups from 14 and under, to 85 and over. Lisa Shelby, HiTOPS Interim Executive Director and Stephanie Berez, Director of Marketing of the Finish Line sponsor, Trojan Brand Condoms, distributed commemorative plaque awards to:
- Top Male Finishers: Mo Alkhawaldeh, 1:09:34, Michael Kennedy, 1:12:53 and Ryan Mahn finishes 3rd 1:14.
- Top Female Finishers: Nicole Strand, 1:25:51, Alison Thompson, 1:26:01 and Suzanne Forlenza, 1:26:17.
- A complete list of age group top finishers can be found, HERE.
The race welcomed 63 additional runners as part of a new Virtual Program option. Virtual runners complete their 13.1 miles on their own time before Sunday’s official race and receive the commemorative finisher medal and T-shirt.
As part of the award ceremony, Lisa Shelby, HiTOPS Interim Executive Director, acknowledged the importance of race as the core annual fundraising event for HiTOPS. Net proceeds from the event support the work that HiTOPS does to positively impact the lives of adolescents by providing positive, non-judgmental, accurate, affirming sexual health education programs and services in welcoming, fun, affirming spaces for young people of all identities. As part of the ceremony, Shelby announced the unprecedented accomplishments of the race’s Good Runner Program. Runners who fundraised for HiTOPS made a combined contribution of over $24,000 by the end of the race day. This marked the strongest runner fundraising results in the race’s 7-year history. Shelby recognized the top fundraisers, Sheri Woodruff, HiTOPS Board President, who raised over $2,000, and HiTOPS Hero community runner, James Restivo, who raised over $1,100. The Good Runner program remains open through November 28th and rewards fundraisers who raise $250 or more with a full race registration refund.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Shelby shared important race registration changes for 2020, “At HiTOPS, we strive to demonstrate our commitment to build and support inclusive communities in everything we do. In keeping with that commitment, I’m very proud to announce that for the 2020 HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon, HiTOPS will lead the way as one of the few USATF sanctioned races to offer runners the option to identify as nonbinary, female, or male when registering for the race”. HiTOPS reaches upward of 10,000 individuals annually throughout New Jersey and stands as the only organization in the state that provides direct support, education, and information for LGBTQ youth and their extended communities.
The event drew runners from 30 states, and Norway, Canada, Czech Republic, Spain, France, and the UK. The local Princeton community played a large role in the event’s success; the Municipality of Princeton & Mayor Liz Lempert, Princeton Police (especially Sgt. Murray & Lt. Maurer), Princeton University (Duncan Harrison, Erin Metro), The Princeton Clergy Association (Dave Davis & Jim Erickson), Princeton Public Works, Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Princeton Fire & Police, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Police Officers, Westminster Choir College Security, Clare Millington, Dianne Zide, Brian Rosener, and Joy Chen. Particular thanks to Courtney Newman, our Race Director, and our 250+ volunteers who make this event possible!
As tradition dictates, a celebratory Kegs and Eggs after-party was held at Princeton’s Alchemist & Barrister, where runners, sponsors, organizers, spectators, and volunteers cheered the day’s accomplishments.
RACE FACTS:
- Celebrating its 7th year, the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is Princeton’s largest annual USATF Certified Grand Prix running event, with a limited field of 1,750 runners.
- Race website: princetonhalfmarathon.com
- An iconic course that begins and ends in the heart of historic Princeton. Landmarks include; the Princeton Battlefield, Institute for Advanced Study, the home of Einstein, Princeton University, the Princeton Boathouse on Lake Carnegie, Westminster Choir College, Mount Lucas, Herrontown Woods, and more.
- Proceeds from sponsorships, registration fees, fundraising efforts, and donations benefit HITOPS. Since inception, the event has generated over $870,000 for the non-profit.
MAJOR SPONSORS:
- Presenting sponsor, NRG Energy
- Finish Line Sponsor: Trojan Brand Condoms
- Major sponsors: Princeton Running Company by JackRabbit, Novo Nordisk, The Alchemist & Barrister, WPST, Wegmans, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Professional PT, Hamilton Jewelers, First Bank, Borden Perlman, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Princeton Fitness & Wellness, JAG-One Physical Therapy, Joy Cards, Hampton Inn Princeton, Shotwell Productions, and Thea’s Star of Hope.
ABOUT HiTOPS
- HiTOPS is a Princeton-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides adolescent sexual health education and support throughout the state of New Jersey.
- For over 30 years, HiTOPS has worked to reduce health risks, promote healthy relationships, and build inclusive communities with programs that include age-appropriate sexual health education, peer-to-peer education, professional development and consultation, and LGBTQ+ youth support groups, an intergenerational mentoring program, and an annual state-wide forum.
PHOTOGRAPHS & LOGOS